Assembly intended for a tire and including woven or knitted fabric(s) including pre-adhered wire elements

ABSTRACT

During the process for the manufacture of a tire ( 20 ) assemblage ( 24 ) comprising: 
     a first woven or knitted fabric ( 26 ) comprising several first threadlike elements ( 64, 66 ), 
     a second woven or knitted fabric ( 28 ) comprising several second threadlike elements ( 68, 70 ), 
     a bearing structure comprising bearing elements ( 32 ) connecting the first and second woven or knitted fabric(s) ( 26, 28 ) together, 
     each first threadlike element ( 64, 66 ) is coated with a layer of a first adhesive composition and each second threadlike element ( 68, 70 ) is coated with a layer of a second adhesive composition, 
     each first and second coated threadlike element ( 64, 66, 68, 70 ) is then heat treated, so as to crosslink each first and second adhesive composition, 
     each first and second coated and heat-treated threadlike element ( 64, 66, 68, 70 ) is then assembled with the bearing elements ( 32 ), so as to form the assemblage ( 24 ).

A subject-matter of the invention is a tire assemblage, a tire, aprocess for the manufacture of a tire assemblage and a process for themanufacture of a tire.

The invention relates to the field of tires intended to equip vehicles.The tire is designed preferably for passenger vehicles but it can beused on any other type of vehicle, such as two-wheel vehicles,heavy-duty vehicles, agricultural vehicles, earthmoving equipment oraircraft, or more generally on any rolling device.

A conventional tire is a torus-shaped structure intended to be fittedonto a wheel rim, pressurized by an inflation gas and squashed on theground under the action of a load. At any point on its running surface,which is intended to come into contact with the ground, the tire has adouble curvature: a circumferential curvature and a meridian curvature.Circumferential curvature is understood to mean a curvature in acircumferential plane, defined by a circumferential direction, tangentto the running surface of the tire in the rolling direction of the tire,and a radial direction, perpendicular to the axis of rotation of thetire. Meridian curvature is understood to mean a curvature in a meridianor radial plane, defined by an axial direction, parallel to the axis ofrotation of the tire, and a radial direction, perpendicular to the axisof rotation of the tire.

In that which follows, the expression “radially interior or respectivelyradially exterior” is understood to mean “closer to or respectivelyfurther away from the axis of rotation of the tire”. The expression“axially interior or respectively axially exterior” is understood tomean “closer to or respectively further away from the equatorial planeof the tire”, the equatorial plane of the tire being the plane whichpasses through the middle of the running surface of the tire and isperpendicular to the axis of rotation of the tire.

It is known that the flattening of the tire on horizontal ground, in acircumferential plane and in a meridian plane, is conditioned by thevalues of the circumferential and meridian radii of curvaturerespectively, at the points of the running surface which are positionedat the limits of the patch for contact of the tire with the ground. Thisflattening is all the easier the larger these radii of curvature, thatis to say the smaller the curvatures, since the curvature at a point, inthe mathematical sense, is the inverse of the radius of curvature. It isalso known that the flattening of the tire has an impact on theperformance qualities of the tire, in particular the rolling resistance,grip, wear and noise.

Consequently, a person skilled in the art, who is a tire specialist,seeking to obtain a good compromise between the expected performancequalities of the tire, such as wear, grip, endurance, rolling resistanceand noise, this list not being exhaustive, has developed alternativesolutions to conventional tires in order to optimize the flatteningthereof.

A conventional tire of the state of the art generally has a highmeridian curvature, that is to say a small meridian radius of curvature,at the axial ends of the tread, known as shoulders, when the tire,fitted onto its mounting rim and inflated to its recommended operatingpressure, is subjected to its service load. The mounting rim, theoperating pressure and the service load are defined by standards, suchas, for example, the standards of the European Tire and Rim TechnicalOrganisation (ETRTO).

A conventional tire bears the load applied, essentially by the axialends of the tread, or shoulders, and by the sidewalls connecting thetread to beads which ensure the mechanical connection of the tire to itsmounting rim. It is known that meridian flattening of a conventionaltire, with a small meridian curvature at the shoulders, is generallydifficult to obtain.

The document U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,270 describes a tire having an annularbody made of elastomeric material, comprising a radially exteriorcylindrical part, at the periphery of the tire, which can comprise atread, and a radially interior cylindrical part which is intended to befitted onto a wheel rim. A plurality of walls which are spaced apartalong the circumferential direction extend from the radially interiorcylindrical part to the radially exterior cylindrical part and providefor the bearing of the load. Moreover, sidewalls can connect the tworespectively radially interior and radially exterior cylindrical partsin order to form, in combination with the tread and the sidewalls, aclosed cavity and to thus allow the tire to be pressurized. However,such a tire has a high weight, in comparison with a conventional tire,and, due to its heavy nature, is liable to dissipate a large amount ofenergy, which can limit its endurance and thus its lifetime.

The document WO 2009087291 describes a tire structure comprising twoannular shells, one an internal, or radially interior, annular shell andone an external, or radially exterior, annular shell respectively, whichare connected by two sidewalls and by a bearing structure. According tothis invention, the bearing structure is pressurized and divides theannular volume of the tire into a plurality of compartments or cells,and the sidewalls are connected to or integrated with the bearingstructure. In this case, the load applied is borne both by the bearingstructure and the sidewalls. The distribution of pressure in the contactpatch is not homogeneous in the axial width of the contact patch, withraised pressures at the shoulders due to the difficulty of meridianflattening because of the connection between the sidewalls and thebearing structure. These raised pressures at the shoulders are liable togenerate significant wear of the shoulders of the tread.

The document WO 2005007422 describes a compliant wheel comprising acompliant band and a plurality of spokes extending radially inwards fromthe compliant band to a hub. The compliant band is intended to adapt tothe surface of contact with the ground and to envelop obstacles. Thespokes transmit the load borne between the compliant band and the hub,by virtue of the spokes which are not in contact with the ground beingtensioned. Such a compliant wheel requires optimization of thedistribution of the spokes in order to guarantee a substantiallycylindrical periphery. Moreover, a compliant wheel has a relatively highweight in comparison with a conventional tire.

The object of the present invention is to provide a tire assemblagewhich makes possible improved flattening of the tread when the tire issubjected to a load.

Process for the Manufacture of an Assemblage According to the Invention

To this end, a subject-matter of the invention is a process for themanufacture of a tire assemblage, the assemblage comprising:

-   -   a first woven or knitted fabric comprising one or more first        threadlike elements,    -   a second woven or knitted fabric comprising one or more second        threadlike elements,    -   a bearing structure comprising bearing elements connecting the        first and second woven or knitted fabric(s) together,

in which process:

-   -   each first threadlike element is coated with at least one layer        of a first adhesive composition and each second threadlike        element is coated with at least one layer of a second adhesive        composition,    -   then, each first and second coated threadlike element is heat        treated, so as to crosslink each first and second adhesive        composition,    -   then, each first and second coated and heat-treated threadlike        element is assembled with the bearing elements so as to form the        assemblage.

The principle of a tire assemblage according to the invention is to havea bearing structure comprising bearing elements connecting the first andsecond woven or knitted fabric(s) and able, once the assemblage isarranged in the tire, to bear the load applied to the tire by thetensioning of a portion of the bearing elements positioned outside thecontact patch, the bearing elements positioned in the contact patchbeing subjected to buckling as subjected to a compressive load and thusnot contributing towards the bearing of the load applied.

By virtue of the process according to the invention, the geometricproperties of the assemblage are not modified during the stage of heattreatment which makes it possible to crosslink each first and secondadhesive composition. This is because, on heat treating the threadlikeelements coated with an adhesive composition, a variation in theirlength but also their mechanical properties, in particular inelongation, is observed. Thus, by forming the assemblage and by thencarrying out the stage of heat treatment of the coated first and secondthreadlike elements, the geometry of each first and second threadlikeelement but also the geometry of the assemblage, and thus the operationexpected once the assemblage is in the tire, would both be modified. Inthe process according to the invention, as the stages of individualcoating and of individual heat treatment of each first and secondthreadlike element are carried out before the stage of formation of theassemblage, the individual geometric properties of each first and secondthreadlike element are modified before the stage of formation of theassemblage, which assembling stage is carried out while taking intoaccount the variations undergone by each threadlike element. Thus, theexpected operation of the assemblage in a tire is indeed obtained.

In addition, the fact of carrying out the stages of individual coatingand of individual heat treatment of each first and second threadlikeelement before the stage of formation of the assemblage makes itpossible to avoid the formation of points of attachment at theintertwinings of the threadlike elements on each first and second wovenor knitted fabric.

Several embodiments can be envisaged. In a preferred embodiment, theassemblage comprises first and second woven fabrics. In anotherembodiment, the assemblage comprises first and second knitted fabrics.In yet another embodiment, the assemblage comprises a woven fabric and aknitted fabric.

Preferably, the first woven or knitted fabric is formed of one or morefirst threadlike elements. Preferably, the second woven or knittedfabric is formed of one or more second threadlike elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the bearing structure comprises a pluralityof identical bearing elements, that is to say the geometriccharacteristics and constituent materials of which are identical.

The bearing elements are arranged so that they are paired, notmechanically connected, in a space delimited by the first and secondwoven fabric(s) or knitted fabric(s). Thus, the bearing elements behaveindependently in mechanical terms. For example, the bearing elements arenot connected together so as to form a network or a lattice.

“Threadlike element” is understood to mean any elongate element of greatlength relative to its cross section, whatever the shape, for examplecircular, oblong, rectangular or square, or even flat, of the latter, itbeing possible for this threadlike element to be, for example, twistedor wavy. When it is circular in shape, its diameter is preferably lessthan 5 mm, more preferentially within a range extending from 100 μm to1.2 mm.

Advantageously, the first and second crosslinked adhesive compositionsare substantially identical.

Preferably, each first and second threadlike element is textile, that isto say nonmetallic, and is, for example, made of a material chosen froma polyester, a polyamide, a polyketone, a polyvinyl alcohol, acellulose, a mineral fibre, a natural fibre, an elastomeric material ora mixture of these materials. Mention may be made, among polyesters, forexample, of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylenenaphthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PBN (polybutylenenaphthalate), PPT (polypropylene terephthalate) or PPN (polypropylenenaphthalate). Mention may be made, among polyamides, of aliphaticpolyamides, such as polyamides 4-6, 6, 6-6 (nylon), 11 or 12, andaromatic polyamides, such as aramid.

For example, each first and second threadlike element is a textileassemblage comprising one or more monofilament or multifilament textilefibres, twisted or not twisted together. Thus, in one embodiment, itwill be possible to have an assemblage in which the fibres aresubstantially parallel to one another. In another embodiment, it will bepossible to also have an assemblage in which the fibres are helicallywound. In yet another embodiment, each first and second threadlikeelement consists of a monofilament. Each monofilament or multifilamentfibre exhibits a diameter of between 5 and 20 μm, for example 10 μm.

In another embodiment, each first and second threadlike element ismetallic, for example an assemblage of metal monofilaments, each metalmonofilament exhibiting a diameter typically of less than 50 μm, forexample 10 μm. In one embodiment, each first and second threadlikeelement consists of an assemblage of several metal monofilaments. Inanother embodiment, each first and second threadlike element consists ofa metal monofilament.

In a preferred embodiment, each bearing element is a threadlike bearingelement.

“Threadlike element” is understood to mean any elongate element of greatlength relative to its cross section, whatever the shape, for examplecircular, oblong, rectangular or square, or even flat, of the latter, itbeing possible for this threadlike element to be, for example, twistedor wavy. When it is circular in shape, its diameter is preferably lessthan 5 mm, more preferentially within a range extending from 100 μm to1.2 mm.

A threadlike bearing element, in particular the bearing portion,typically exhibits a characteristic smallest dimension E of its meansection S_(P) (which is the mean of the sections obtained by cutting thethreadlike bearing element by all the surfaces parallel to the first andsecond woven or knitted fabric(s) and comprised between the first andsecond woven or knitted fabric(s)) preferably at most equal to 0.02times the maximum spacing between the two internal faces of the firstand second woven or knitted fabric(s) (which corresponds to the meanradial height H of the interior annular space once the assemblage isarranged within the tire) and an aspect ratio K of its mean sectionS_(P) preferably at most equal to 3. A characteristic smallest dimensionE of the mean section S_(P) of the bearing element at most equal to 0.02times the mean radial height H of the interior annular space rules outany heavy bearing element having a large volume. In other words, when itis threadlike, each bearing element has high slenderness in the radialdirection, allowing it to buckle on passing through the contact patch.Outside the contact patch, each bearing element returns to its initialgeometry, since the buckling thereof is reversible. Such a bearingelement has good fatigue strength. An aspect ratio K of its mean sectionS_(P) at most equal to 3 means that the characteristic largest dimensionL of its mean section S_(P) is at most equal to 3 times thecharacteristic smallest dimension E of its mean section S_(P).

A threadlike bearing element has a mechanical behaviour of threadliketype, that is to say that it can only be subjected to tensile orcompressive exertions along its mean line.

It should be noted that not all the threadlike bearing elements of abearing structure necessarily have identical lengths L_(P).

Preferably, each threadlike bearing element is textile, that is to saynonmetallic, and is, for example, made of a material chosen from apolyester, a polyamide, a polyketone, a polyvinyl alcohol, a cellulose,a mineral fibre, a natural fibre, an elastomeric material or a mixtureof these materials. Mention may be made, among polyesters, for example,of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PBT(polybutylene terephthalate), PBN (polybutylene naphthalate), PPT(polypropylene terephthalate) or PPN (polypropylene naphthalate).Mention may be made, among polyamides, of aliphatic polyamides, such aspolyamides 4-6, 6, 6-6 (nylon), 11 or 12, and aromatic polyamides, suchas aramid.

For example, each threadlike bearing element is a textile assemblagecomprising one or more monofilament or multifilament textile fibres,twisted or not twisted together. Thus, in one embodiment, it will bepossible to have an assemblage in which the fibres are substantiallyparallel to one another. In another embodiment, it will be possible toalso have an assemblage in which the fibres are helically wound. In yetanother embodiment, each threadlike bearing element consists of amonofilament. Each monofilament or multifilament fibre exhibits adiameter of between 5 and 20 μm, for example 10 μm.

In another embodiment, each threadlike bearing element is metallic, forexample an assemblage of metal monofilaments, each metal monofilamentexhibiting a diameter typically of less than 50 μm, for example 10 μm.In one embodiment, each threadlike bearing element consists of anassemblage of several metal monofilaments. In another embodiment, eachthreadlike bearing element consists of a metal monofilament.

In one embodiment, each threadlike bearing element extends alternatelyfrom the first woven or knitted fabric towards the second woven orknitted fabric and from the second woven or knitted fabric towards thefirst woven or knitted fabric, on moving along the threadlike bearingelement.

More preferably still, each threadlike bearing element is interlacedwith each first and second woven or knitted fabric. Such an assemblageexhibits the advantage of being able to be manufactured in a singleweaving stage. However, it is also possible to envisage manufacturingthe assemblage in two stages, a first stage of manufacture of the firstand second woven or knitted fabric(s) and a second stage of interlacingof the threadlike bearing element or elements with the first and secondwoven or knitted fabric(s). In both cases, the interlacing of eachbearing element with each first and second woven or knitted fabric makesit possible to ensure the mechanical anchoring of each bearing elementin each first and second woven or knitted fabric and thus to confer thedesired mechanical properties on the bearing structure.

Preferably, the threadlike bearing element comprises:

-   -   at least one threadlike bearing portion extending between the        first and second woven or knitted fabric(s), and    -   at least first and second threadlike portions for anchoring the        threadlike bearing element respectively in the first and second        woven or knitted fabric(s), prolonging the threadlike bearing        portion respectively into the first and second woven or knitted        fabric(s).

Each threadlike bearing portion which connects the internal faces of thefirst and second woven or knitted fabric(s) to one another can becharacterized geometrically by its length L_(P) and by its mean sectionS_(P), which is the mean of the sections obtained by cutting thethreadlike bearing portion by all the surfaces parallel to the first andsecond woven or knitted fabric(s) and comprised between the first andsecond woven or knitted fabric(s). In the most frequent case of anunchanging section of the bearing element and the threadlike bearingportion, the mean section S_(P) is equal to this unchanging section.

The mean section S_(P) of each threadlike bearing portion comprises acharacteristic largest dimension L and a characteristic smallestdimension E, the ratio K=L/E of which is known as the aspect ratio. Byway of examples, a circular mean section S_(P), having a diameter equalto d, has an aspect ratio K=1, a rectangular mean section S_(P), havinga length L and a width l, has an aspect ratio K=L/l, and an ellipticalmean section S_(P), having a major axis A and a minor axis a, has anaspect ratio K=A/a.

In a preferred embodiment, the first woven or knitted fabric is a wovenfabric comprising intertwinings of a first family of the firstthreadlike elements, substantially parallel to one another, and of asecond family of the first threadlike elements, substantially parallelto one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the second woven or knitted fabric is a wovenfabric comprising intertwinings of a first family of the secondthreadlike elements, substantially parallel to one another, and of asecond family of the second threadlike elements, substantially parallelto one another.

In this preferred embodiment, the woven fabric comprises, in a way knownto a person skilled in the art, a weave characterizing the intertwiningof the threadlike elements of the first and second families. Accordingto the embodiments, this weave is of plain, twill or satin type.Preferably, in order to confer good mechanical properties in a tire use,the weave is of plain type.

In another embodiment, the first and/or the second woven or knittedfabric is a knitted fabric comprising interlaced loops.

Preferably, the first and second threadlike elements of the first familyextending along a first direction and the first and second threadlikeelements of the second family extending along a second direction, thefirst and second directions form, with one another, an angle rangingfrom 70° to 90°.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment in which the first woven or knittedfabric (26) is a woven fabric comprising intertwinings of a first familyof the first threadlike elements, substantially parallel to one another,and of a second family of the first threadlike elements, substantiallyparallel to one another, each first threadlike anchoring portion iswound, at least in part, around at least one of the first threadlikeelements of at least one of the first and second families of the firstthreadlike elements of the first woven fabric.

In a preferred embodiment in which the second woven or knitted fabric(28) is a woven fabric comprising intertwinings of a first family of thesecond threadlike elements, substantially parallel to one another, andof a second family of the second threadlike elements, substantiallyparallel to one another, each second threadlike anchoring portion iswound, at least in part, around at least one of the second threadlikeelements of at least one of the first and second families of the secondthreadlike elements of the second woven fabric.

More preferably still, as each first family consists of first and secondwarp threadlike elements and the second family consists of first andsecond weft threadlike elements, each first and second threadlikeanchoring portion is wound, at least in part, around first and secondweft threadlike elements respectively of each first and second wovenfabric. In another embodiment, each first and second threadlikeanchoring portion is wound, at least in part, around first and secondwarp threadlike elements respectively of each first and second wovenfabric.

The mechanical characteristics of such woven fabrics, such as theirtensile stiffness and their tensile breaking force, according to themeaning of the threadlike elements of the first family or that of thethreadlike elements of the second family, depend on the characteristicsof the threadlike elements, such as, for textile threadlike elements,the count, expressed in tex or g/1000 m, the tenacity, expressed incN/tex, and the standard contraction, expressed in %, these threadlikeelements being distributed according to a given density, expressed innumber of threads/dm. All these characteristics depend on theconstituent material of the threadlike elements and on their process ofmanufacture.

Preferably, the first woven fabric extending along a main generaldirection, the first threadlike elements of at least one of the firstand second families extend along a direction forming, with the maingeneral direction of the first woven fabric, an angle at least equal to10° and at most equal to 45°. More preferably still, the first familyconsisting of first warp threadlike elements and the second familyconsisting of first weft threadlike elements, the first warp threadlikeelements form an angle at least equal to 10° and at most equal to 45°with the main direction of the first woven fabric. More preferablystill, the first weft threadlike elements form an angle at least equalto 10° and at most equal to 45° with the main direction of the firstwoven fabric.

Preferably, the second woven fabric extending along a main generaldirection, the second threadlike elements of at least one of the firstand second families extend along a direction forming, with the maingeneral direction of the second woven fabric, an angle at least equal to10° and at most equal to 45°. More preferably still, the first familyconsisting of second warp threadlike elements and the second familyconsisting of second weft threadlike elements, the warp threadlikeelements form an angle at least equal to 10° and at most equal to 45°with the main direction of the second woven fabric. More preferablystill, the second weft threadlike elements form an angle at least equalto 10° and at most equal to 45° with the main direction of the secondwoven fabric.

Main general direction is understood to mean the general direction alongwhich the woven fabric extends according to its greatest length.

In one embodiment, each first threadlike element is coated directly witha layer of a first adhesion primer and the layer of the first adhesionprimer is coated with the layer of the first adhesive composition.

In one embodiment each second threadlike element is coated directly witha layer of a second adhesion primer and the layer of the second adhesionprimer is coated with the layer of the second adhesive composition.

Each first and second adhesion primer is, for example, an epoxy resinand/or an isocyanate compound, which is optionally blocked. Each firstand second adhesive composition used can be a conventional RFL(resorcinol/formaldehyde latex) adhesive or alternatively the adhesivesdescribed in Applications WO 2013/017421, WO 2013/017422, WO2013/017423, WO 2015007641 and WO 2015007642.

In another embodiment, each first and second threadlike element iscoated directly with a layer respectively of each first and secondadhesive composition.

Where this is in one or other of the embodiments described above, it canbe advantageous to activate the surface of the first and secondthreadlike elements by the physical route, for example by using atreatment by radiation, such as a beam of electrons, or by plasma.

In one embodiment, each bearing element being a threadlike bearingelement:

-   -   each threadlike bearing element is coated with at least one        layer of a third adhesive composition,    -   then, each coated threadlike bearing element is heat treated, so        as to crosslink the third adhesive composition,    -   then, each coated and heat-treated threadlike bearing element is        assembled with the first and second coated and heat-treated        threadlike elements, so as to form the assemblage.

Assemblage According to the Invention

Another subject-matter of the invention is a tire assemblage, theassemblage comprising:

-   -   a first woven or knitted fabric comprising one or more first        threadlike elements, each first threadlike element being coated        with at least one layer of a first crosslinked adhesive        composition,    -   a second woven or knitted fabric comprising one or more second        threadlike elements, each second threadlike element being coated        with at least one layer of a second crosslinked adhesive        composition,    -   a bearing structure comprising bearing elements connecting the        first and second woven or knitted fabric(s) together,

the assemblage being capable of being obtained by a process according toany one of the preceding claims.

The fact of carrying out the stages of individual coating and ofindividual heat treatment of each first and second threadlike elementbefore the stage of formation of the assemblage makes it possible toavoid the formation of points of attachment at the intertwinings of thethreadlike elements on each first and second woven or knitted fabric.Thus, on the one hand, each first and second woven or knitted fabric ofthe assemblage according to the invention is substantially devoid ofpoints of attachment due respectively to the first and second adhesivecompositions between respectively the first and second threadlikeelements. On the other hand, the first and second reinforcing elementsare individually better penetrated by respectively each first and secondadhesive composition, in contrast to first and second reinforcingelements which would have been coated after the formation of each firstand second woven fabric and the penetration of which by respectivelyeach first and second adhesive composition at the intertwinings wouldhave been detrimentally affected.

A further subject-matter of the invention is a tire assemblage, theassemblage comprising:

-   -   a first woven or knitted fabric comprising one or more first        threadlike elements, each first threadlike element being coated        with at least one layer of a first crosslinked adhesive        composition and being obtained after a stage of individual        coating of each first threadlike element by the layer of the        first adhesive composition, followed by a stage of individual        heat treatment of each first coated threadlike element;    -   a second woven or knitted fabric comprising one or more second        threadlike elements, each second threadlike element being coated        with at least one layer of a second crosslinked adhesive        composition and being obtained after a stage of individual        coating of each second threadlike element by the layer of the        second adhesive composition, followed by a stage of individual        heat treatment of each second coated threadlike element;    -   a bearing structure comprising bearing elements connecting the        first and second woven or knitted fabric(s) together.

Assembly According to the Invention

An additional subject-matter of the invention is a tire assembly, theassembly comprising:

-   -   first and second layers respectively of first and second        polymeric compositions;    -   an assemblage as defined above, in which:        -   the first woven or knitted fabric is impregnated, at least            in part, with the first polymeric composition and forms a            first impregnated woven or knitted structure of the            assembly;        -   the second woven or knitted fabric is impregnated, at least            in part, with the second polymeric composition and forms a            second impregnated woven or knitted structure of the            assembly.

In one embodiment, each polymeric composition comprises at least oneelastomer, preferably a diene elastomer. Elastomer or rubber (the twoterms being synonyms) of the diene type is understood to mean,generally, an elastomer resulting, at least in part (i.e., a homopolymeror a copolymer), from diene monomers (monomers bearing two conjugated orunconjugated carbon-carbon double bonds). This composition can then beeither in the raw state or in the cured state.

Particularly preferably, the diene elastomer of the rubber compositionis selected from the group consisting of polybutadienes (BRs), syntheticpolyisoprenes (IRs), natural rubber (NR), butadiene copolymers, isoprenecopolymers and the mixtures of these elastomers. Such copolymers aremore preferably selected from the group consisting of butadiene/stirenecopolymers (SBRs), isoprene/butadiene copolymers (BIRs),isoprene/stirene copolymers (SIRs), isoprene/butadiene/stirenecopolymers (SBIRs) and the mixtures of such copolymers.

Each polymeric composition can comprise just one diene elastomer or amixture of several diene elastomers, it being possible for the dieneelastomer or elastomers to be used in combination with any type ofsynthetic elastomer other than a diene elastomer, indeed even withpolymers other than elastomers, for example thermoplastic polymers.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, each polymeric composition comprises,in addition to the elastomer, preferably the diene elastomer, areinforcing filler, for example carbon black, a crosslinking system, forexample a vulcanization system, and various additives.

In another embodiment, each polymeric composition comprises at least onethermoplastic polymer. A thermoplastic polymer is, by definition, heatmeltable. Examples of such thermoplastic polymers are aliphaticpolyamides, for example nylon, polyesters, for example PET or PEN, andthermoplastic elastomers.

Thermoplastic elastomers (abbreviated to “TPEs”) are elastomers providedin the form of block copolymers based on thermoplastic blocks. With astructure intermediate between thermoplastic polymers and elastomers,they are formed, in a known way, of rigid thermoplastic, in particularpolystirene, sequences connected by flexible elastomer sequences, forexample polybutadiene or polyisoprene sequences for unsaturated TPEs orpoly(ethylene/butylene) sequences for saturated TPEs. This is the reasonwhy, in a known way, the above TPE block copolymers are generallycharacterized by the presence of two glass transition peaks, the firstpeak (the lower, generally negative, temperature) relating to theelastomer sequence of the TPE copolymer and the second peak (the higher,positive, temperature, typically greater than 80° C. for preferredelastomers of the TPS type) relating to the thermoplastic (for examplestirene blocks) part of the TPE copolymer. These TPE elastomers areoften triblock elastomers with two rigid segments connected by aflexible segment. The rigid and flexible segments can be positionedlinearly, in a star or branched configuration. These TPE elastomers canalso be diblock elastomers with a single rigid segment connected to aflexible segment. Typically, each of these segments or blocks containsat least more than 5, generally more than 10, base units (for example,stirene units and isoprene units for a stirene/isoprene/stirene blockcopolymer).

Preferably, the thermoplastic elastomer is unsaturated. Unsaturated TPEelastomer is understood to mean, by definition and in a well-known way,a TPE elastomer which is provided with ethylenic unsaturations, that isto say which comprises (conjugated or unconjugated) carbon-carbon doublebonds; conversely, a “saturated” TPE elastomer is, of course, a TPEelastomer which is devoid of such double bonds.

The first and second polymeric compositions can be different oridentical. For example, the first polymeric composition can comprise adiene elastomer and the second polymeric composition can comprise athermoplastic elastomer, or vice versa.

Tire According to the Invention

The invention also relates to a tire comprising an assemblage as definedabove or an assembly as defined above.

In one embodiment, the tire comprises:

-   -   a first structure of revolution comprising the first woven or        knitted fabric and a first layer of a first polymeric        composition, the first woven or knitted fabric being        impregnated, at least in part, with the first polymeric        composition    -   a second structure of revolution comprising the second woven or        knitted fabric and a second layer of a first polymeric        composition, the second woven or knitted fabric being        impregnated, at least in part, with the second polymeric        composition, the second structure of revolution being arranged        radially inside the first structure of revolution;    -   a crown structure of revolution arranged radially outside the        first structure of revolution;    -   an interior annular space delimited by an internal face of the        first structure of revolution and an internal face of the second        structure of revolution;    -   two sidewalls connecting together each axial end of the first,        radially exterior, structure of revolution and each axial end of        the second structure of revolution, the two sidewalls delimiting        the interior annular space; the interior annular space forming a        closed cavity which can be pressurized by an inflation gas.

The second impregnated woven or knitted structure forming the second,radially interior, structure of revolution of the tire is intended toprovide, among other functions, for the bonding of the assemblage, andthus of the tire, with the fitting means. The first impregnated woven orknitted structure forming the first, radially exterior, structure ofrevolution of the tire is intended to provide, among other functions,for the bonding of the assemblage with the crown structure ofrevolution.

Preferably, since each sidewall has a curvilinear length L_(F), thecurvilinear length L_(F) of each sidewall is advantageously at leastequal to 1.05 times, preferably 1.15 times, the mean radial height H ofthe interior annular space. More advantageously still, the curvilinearlength L_(F) of each sidewall is at least equal to 1.3 times and at mostequal to 1.6 times the mean radial height H of the interior annularspace. This characteristic of sidewall length guarantees that thedeformation of the sidewall will not impair the meridian flattening ofthe tire-type device due to an excessively low curvature.

Advantageously, the sidewalls are not directly bonded to the assemblageand preferably are not directly bonded to the bearing elements. Thesidewalls partly contribute to the bearing of the load, depending ontheir own structural stiffness. However, the sidewalls have anindependent mechanical behaviour and do not interfere in the mechanicalbehaviour of the bearing structure. The sidewalls generally comprise atleast one elastomeric material and can optionally comprise areinforcement.

In the case of effective pressurization by an inflation gas, the tirethen exhibits a pneumatic stiffness, due to the pressure, which willalso contribute to the bearing of the applied load. Usually, for use ona passenger vehicle, the pressure is at least equal to 0.5 bar,preferably at least equal to 1 bar. The higher the pressure, the greaterthe contribution of the pneumatic stiffness to the bearing of the loadapplied and, correspondingly, the lower the contribution of thestructural stiffness of the bearing structure and/or of the sidewallsand/or of the respectively radially exterior and radially interiorstructures of revolution to the bearing of the load applied. In theabsence of pressurization and in the case of a low structural stiffnessof the sidewalls, the bearing structure and the respectively radiallyexterior and radially interior structures of revolution would becompelled to provide virtually all of the bearing of the load, thesidewalls mainly having only a protective role with respect to possibleattack by elements external to the tire.

The first impregnated woven or knitted structure forming the first,radially exterior, structure of revolution of the tire exhibits an axisof revolution coincident with the axis of rotation of the tire. Thesecond impregnated woven or knitted structure forming the second,radially interior, structure of revolution of the tire is coaxial withthe first impregnated woven or knitted structure forming the first,radially exterior, structure of revolution of the tire.

The interior annular space has a mean radial height H. When the tire issubjected to a nominal radial load Z_(N) and is in contact with flatground by a contact surface area A, the bearing elements, connected tothe portion of the first impregnated woven or knitted structure formingthe first, radially exterior, structure of revolution of the tire incontact with the ground via the first woven or knitted fabric, aresubjected to buckling in compression and at least a part of the bearingelements, connected to the portion of the first impregnated woven orknitted structure forming the first, radially exterior, structure ofrevolution of the tire not in contact with the ground, are in tension.

In order to withstand the load applied, the mean surface density D ofthreadlike bearing portions per unit of surface area of the firstimpregnated woven or knitted structure forming the first, radiallyexterior, structure of revolution, expressed in 1/m², being at leastequal to (S/S_(E))*Z/(A*Fr), where S is the surface area, in m², of theradially interior face of the crown structure of revolution, S_(E) isthe binding surface area between the external face of the firstimpregnated woven or knitted structure forming the first, radiallyexterior (which is the external face of the first band), structure ofrevolution and the radially interior face of the crown structure ofrevolution, in m², Z_(N) is the nominal radial load, in N, applied tire,A is the ground contact surface area, in m², of the tire and Fr is thebreaking force, in N, of each bearing portion. The nominal radial loadZ_(N) is the recommended load for use of the tire. The ground contactsurface area A is the surface area over which the tire is squashed onthe ground under the action of the nominal radial load Z_(N).

The expression according to which D is at least equal to(S/S_(E))*Z/(A*Fr) reflects, in particular, the fact that the meansurface density D of the bearing portions increases as the nominalradial load Z_(N) increases and/or as the ratio of S_(E)/S surfaces,representing the degree of overlap of the radially interior face of thecrown structure of revolution by the first impregnated woven or knittedstructure forming the first, radially exterior, structure of revolution,decreases. The mean surface density D of the bearing portions decreasesas the tensile breaking force Fr of a bearing portion increases.

Such a mean surface density D of the bearing portions makes it possible,on the one hand, for the bearing elements in tension outside the contactpatch to bear the nominal radial load Z_(N) and, on the other hand, forthe bearing elements in compression in the contact patch to guarantee aflattening of the tread, both in a circumferential plane and in ameridian plane, which is improved in comparison with the known tires ofthe state of the art.

Generally, the surface density of the bearing portions is unvarying bothin the circumferential direction and in the axial direction, that is tosay that the distribution of the bearing portions is uniform bothcircumferentially and axially: the mean surface density D is thus equalto the unvarying surface density. The advantage of an unvarying surfacedensity is that it helps to give the tread a virtually cylindricalgeometry, with a reduced “rippling” effect, in comparison with othertires of the state of the art.

However, in some embodiments, the surface density of the bearingportions may be variable in the circumferential direction and/or in theaxial direction, that is to say that the distribution of the bearingportions is not necessarily uniform circumferentially and/or axially,hence the introduction of the characteristic of mean surface density Dof bearing portions.

The surface density D of the bearing portions, expressed in 1/m², isadvantageously at least equal to 3*(S/S_(E))*Z/(A*Fr). A higher surfacedensity of bearing portions improves the homogenization of the pressuresin the ground contact patch and guarantees a higher safety coefficientwith respect to the load applied and with respect to the endurance.

The surface density D of the bearing portions, expressed in 1/m², ismore advantageously still at least equal to 6*(S/S_(E))*Z/(A*Fr). Aneven higher surface density of bearing portions improves even furtherthe homogenization of the pressures in the ground contact patch andmakes it possible to further increase the safety coefficient withrespect to the load applied and with respect to the endurance.

The mean surface density D of the bearing portions, expressed in 1/m²,is advantageously at least equal to 5000.

In some embodiments, the surface area S_(E) is substantially equal tothe surface area S, that is to say that the first impregnated woven orknitted structure forming the first, radially exterior, structure ofrevolution first woven or knitted fabric completely overlaps theradially interior face of the crown structure of revolution. Under theseconditions, the minimum mean surface density D of the bearing portionsis equal to Z/(A*Fr).

In other embodiments, S_(E) is different from S and even S_(E)<S. Thisis because the first impregnated woven or knitted structure is notnecessarily continuous (axially and/or circumferentially) and canconsist of juxtaposed portions of woven or knitted fabric: in this case,the surface area S_(E) is the sum of the binding surface areas betweenthe external faces of the first impregnated woven or knitted structureforming the first, radially exterior, structure of revolution (which arethe external faces of the first layer) and the radially interior face ofthe crown structure of revolution. Thus, when S_(E)<S, the firstimpregnated woven or knitted structure forming the first, radiallyexterior, structure of revolution first woven or knitted structure doesnot completely overlap, that is to say only partially overlaps, theradially interior face of the crown structure of revolution.

This design advantageously makes it possible to have an assemblage whichcan be manufactured independently and integrated in a single blockduring the manufacture of the tire. The assemblage used can be renderedintegral with other elements of the tire by vulcanization, adhesivebonding or any other process for bonding the first and second layers ofthe first and second polymeric compositions.

The first radially exterior woven or knitted fabric and the secondradially interior woven or knitted fabric serve as interfaces betweenthe bearing elements and the respectively radially exterior and radiallyinterior structures of revolution, which are thus not in direct contact.

By virtue of the tire described, an improved flattening of the tread, inparticular in a meridian plane, by an increase in the meridian radii ofcurvature at the axial ends of the tread, is observed.

This results, in particular, in a homogenization of the pressures in theground contact patch, which contributes to increasing the lifetime interms of wear and the grip of the tire.

An increase in the natural vibrational frequencies of the tire, whichcontributes to improving the vibrational and acoustic comfort of thetire, is also observed.

Finally, the rolling resistance of such a tire is substantiallydecreased, which is favourable to a fall in the fuel consumption of thevehicle.

Process for the Manufacture of a Tire According to the Invention

A further subject-matter of the invention is a process for themanufacture of a tire, in which:

-   -   an assemblage or an assembly as defined above is wound around a        confection cylinder substantially of revolution around an axis        of revolution;    -   at least one of the first and second woven or knitted fabrics is        separated radially with respect to the axis of revolution.

In one embodiment, the tire comprising:

-   -   a first structure of revolution comprising the first woven or        knitted fabric and a first layer of a first polymeric        composition, the first woven or knitted fabric being        impregnated, at least in part, with the first polymeric        composition;    -   a second structure of revolution comprising the second woven or        knitted fabric and a second layer of a first polymeric        composition, the second woven or knitted fabric being        impregnated, at least in part, with the second polymeric        composition, the second structure of revolution being arranged        radially inside the first structure of revolution;    -   an interior annular space delimited by an internal face of the        first structure of revolution and an internal face of the second        structure of revolution;    -   two sidewalls connecting together each axial end of the first        structure of revolution and each axial end of the second        structure of revolution, the two sidewalls delimiting the        interior annular space; the interior annular space forming a        closed cavity which can be pressurized by an inflation gas;

in which process:

-   -   the interior annular space is formed;    -   the interior annular space is opened out.

Preferably, in order to form the interior annular space, each sidewallis joined to each axial end of the first and second structures ofrevolution, so as to form the interior annular space.

Advantageously, the interior annular space is opened out bypressurization by an inflation gas of the interior annular space.

Preferably, after the interior annular space has been opened out, acrown structure of revolution is wound radially on the outside of thefirst structure of revolution.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description whichwill follow, given solely as nonlimiting example and made with referenceto the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective and in partial section of a tireaccording to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in circumferential section of the tire of FIG. 1, inthe squashed state;

FIG. 3 is a view in meridian section of the tire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of one of the woven fabrics of an assemblageaccording to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view in section of an assembly according to the inventioncomprising the assemblage according to the invention of FIG. 4 along asectional plane P-P;

FIG. 6 is a view of a bearing element of a bearing structure of the tireof FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view in partial meridian section of the tire of FIG. 1 whichmakes it possible to see a part of the assemblage of FIGS. 4 and 5 aftermanufacture of the tire;

FIG. 8 illustrates comparative standard curves of the change in the loadapplied as a function of the deflection for the tire of FIG. 1 and areference tire of the state of the art;

FIG. 9 illustrates comparative standard curves of the change in thecornering stiffness as a function of the load applied for the tire ofFIG. 1 and a reference tire of the state of the art;

FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate the opening out of the assemblage and of theassembly according to the invention during the process for themanufacture of the tire according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a view analogous to that of FIG. 1 of a tire according to asecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a view analogous to that of FIG. 7 of the tire of FIG. 11.

EXAMPLES OF TIRES ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

A frame of reference X, Y, Z corresponding to the usual respectivelyaxial (along the YY′ direction), radial (along the ZZ′ direction) andcircumferential (along the XX′ direction) orientations of a tire hasbeen represented in the figures.

A tire in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention anddenoted by the general reference 20 has been represented in FIG. 1. Thetire 20 is substantially of revolution around an axis substantiallyparallel to the axial direction YY′. The tire 20 is in this instanceintended for a passenger vehicle. In FIG. 1, the tire 20 is fitted to afitting means 22, in this instance a wheel rim, thus forming a fittedassembly 23 for a vehicle.

The tire 20 comprises an assemblage 24 comprising a first impregnatedwoven or knitted structure 25 and a second impregnated woven or knittedstructure 27. The second impregnated woven or knitted structure 27 isarranged radially on the inside, with respect to the first impregnatedwoven structure 25. In the case in point, each first and secondstructure 25, 27 is an impregnated woven structure. In an alternativeform, each first and second structure 25, 27 is an impregnated knittedstructure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first impregnated woven structure 25comprises a first woven or knitted fabric 26, in this instance a wovenfabric 26, and a first layer 33 of a first polymeric composition 34, thefirst woven fabric 26 being impregnated, at least in part, with thefirst polymeric composition 34. The second impregnated woven structure27 comprises a second woven or knitted fabric 28, in this instance awoven fabric 28, and a second layer 35 of a second polymeric composition36, the second woven fabric 28 being impregnated, at least in part, withthe second polymeric composition 36. In an alternative form, each firstand second structure 25, 27 comprises a knitted fabric impregnated, atleast in part, respectively with each polymeric composition 34, 36.

In the tire 20, the first woven fabric 26 is arranged radially on theoutside, with respect to the second woven fabric 28. Each first andsecond polymeric composition 34, 36 comprises, for example, anelastomeric composition comprising at least one elastomer, preferably adiene elastomer, for example natural rubber.

Within the tire 20, the first impregnated woven structure 25 forms afirst structure of revolution 25′ and the second impregnated wovenstructure 27 forms a second structure of revolution 27′ arrangedradially on the inside of the first structure of revolution 25′.

The assemblage 24 also comprises a bearing structure 30 comprisingbearing elements 32 connecting the first and second woven fabrics 26, 28together. The bearing structure 30 is in this instance formed of aplurality of bearing elements 32.

Furthermore, the tire 20 comprises a crown structure of revolution 55arranged radially on the outside of the first impregnated wovenstructure 25 forming the first, radially exterior, structure ofrevolution 25′. The crown structure of revolution 55 comprises acircumferential reinforcement 54 and a tread 58, as illustrated in FIGS.1 and 5. The crown structure of revolution 55 comprises a radiallyinterior face 59 and a radially exterior face 60 formed by the exteriorface of the tread 58.

The circumferential reinforcement 54 comprises a polymeric composition,for example an elastomeric composition comprising at least oneelastomer, preferably a diene elastomer, for example natural rubber, inwhich several metal or textile reinforcing elements 56, known to aperson skilled in the art, are embedded.

The circumferential reinforcement 54 is arranged radially on the outsideof the first impregnated woven structure 25 forming the first, radiallyexterior, structure of revolution 25′ of the tire 20. The tread 58 isintended to come into contact with the ground. The tread 58 is formed ofa polymeric composition, for example an elastomeric compositioncomprising at least one elastomer, preferably a diene elastomer, forexample natural rubber. The tread 58 is arranged radially on the outsideof the circumferential reinforcement 54.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first impregnated woven structure25 forming the first, radially exterior, structure of revolution 25′ ofthe tire 20, the second impregnated woven structure 27 forming thesecond, radially interior, structure of revolution 27′ of the tire 20and the crown structure of revolution 55 exhibit a common axis ofrevolution, in the case in point the axis of rotation YY′ of the tire20.

The first impregnated woven structure 25 forming the first, radiallyexterior, structure of revolution 25′ of the tire 20 exhibits aninternal face 42 and an external face 43 and also two axial ends 44. Theinternal face 42 is an internal face of the first woven fabric 26 andthe external face 43 is an external face of the first layer 33. Withinthe tire 20, the internal face 42 is arranged radially on the inside ofthe external face 43 and the external face 43 is in contact with aradially interior face of the crown structure of revolution 55.

The second impregnated woven structure 27 forming the second, radiallyexterior, structure of revolution 27′ of the tire 20 exhibits aninternal face 46 and an external face 47 and also two axial ends 48. Theinternal face 46 is an internal face of the second woven fabric 28 andthe external face 47 is an external face of the second layer 35. Withinthe tire 20, the internal face 46 is arranged radially on the outside ofthe external face 47.

The two faces 42 and 46 face one another and are substantially parallelto one another. Within the tire 20, each surface 42, 46 describes acylinder of revolution around the axis YY′ of the tire 20.

With reference to FIG. 1, the tire 20 also comprises two sidewalls 50.Each sidewall 50 connects together each axial end 44 of the firstimpregnated woven structure 25 forming the first, radially exterior,structure of revolution 25′ of the tire 20 and each axial end 48 of thesecond impregnated woven structure 27 forming the second, radiallyinterior, structure of revolution 27′ of the tire 20.

The tire 20 also comprises an interior annular space 52 delimited, onthe one hand, by each internal face 42 and 46 and, on the other hand, bythe two sidewalls 50. The interior annular space 52 forms a closedcavity which can be pressurized by an inflation gas, for example air.The bearing elements 32 are in pairs independent in the interior annularspace 52.

In this first embodiment, the assemblage 24 extends axially incontinuous fashion between the two sidewalls 50 of the tire 20. Theassemblage 24 extends circumferentially over one turn around the axis ofrevolution YY′ of the tire 20 so as to form an axially continuousassemblage band 51, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the tire 20 is represented subjected to a nominalradial load Z_(N). The tire 20 is in contact with flat ground by acontact surface area A, having a circumferential length X_(A). Thebearing elements 32, connected to the portion of the first impregnatedwoven structure 25 forming the first, radially exterior, structure ofrevolution 25′ of the tire 20 in contact with the ground via the tread,are subjected to buckling in compression, while at least a part of thebearing elements 32, connected to the portion of the first impregnatedwoven structure 25 forming the first, radially exterior, structure ofrevolution 25′ of the tire 20 not in contact with the ground, are intension.

An external face 53 of the first woven fabric 26, before it is placed inthe tire 20, has been represented in FIG. 4. The representation of thefirst layer 33 of polymeric composition 34 has been deliberately omittedfor reasons of clarity of the account. An assemblage and an assembly 90according to the invention have been represented in FIG. 5.

The first woven fabric 26 is a woven fabric comprising intertwinings ofa first family of first threadlike elements 64, known as first warpthreadlike elements, and of a second family of first threadlike elements66, known as first weft threadlike elements. The first warp threadlikeelements 64 of the first woven fabric 26 are substantially parallel toone another and extend along a “warp” direction. The first weftthreadlike elements 66 of the first woven fabric 26 are substantiallyparallel to one another and extend along a “weft” direction. The firstthreadlike elements 64, 66 are coated with at least one layer of a firstcrosslinked adhesive composition and are obtained after a stage ofindividual coating of each first threadlike element 64, 66 by the layerof the first adhesive composition, followed by a stage of individualheat treatment of each first coated threadlike element 64, 66. In thecase in point, each first threadlike element 64, 66 is coated with alayer of a first adhesion primer, in this instance a primer based on anepoxy resin and on blocked isocyanate, this layer of adhesion primerbeing itself coated with the layer of the first adhesive composition, inthis instance an adhesive of RFL type.

The second woven fabric 28 is a woven fabric comprising intertwinings ofa first family of second threadlike elements 68, known as second warpthreadlike elements, and of a second family of second threadlikeelements 70, known as second weft threadlike elements. The second warpthreadlike elements 68 of the second woven fabric 28 are substantiallyparallel to one another and extend along a “warp” direction. The secondweft threadlike elements 70 of the second woven fabric 28 aresubstantially parallel to one another and extend along a “weft”direction. The second threadlike elements 68, 70 are coated with atleast one layer of a second crosslinked adhesive composition and areobtained after a stage of individual coating of each second threadlikeelement 68, 70 by the layer of the second adhesive composition, followedby a stage of individual heat treatment of each second coated threadlikeelement 68, 70. In the case in point, each second threadlike element 68,70 is coated with a layer of a second adhesion primer, in this instancea primer based on an epoxy resin and on blocked isocyanate, this layerof adhesion primer being itself coated with the layer of the secondadhesive composition, in this instance an adhesive of RFL type.

In the case in point, the first and second adhesion primers areidentical. The first and second adhesive compositions are identical.

Within each first and second woven fabric 26, 28, the warp and weftdirections form, with one another, an angle ranging from 70° to 90°. Inthe case in point, the angle is substantially equal to 90°.

The first and second threadlike elements 64, 66, 68, 70 are allsubstantially identical. Each first and second threadlike element 64,66, 68, 70 is a textile threadlike element, in this instance made ofpolyethylene terephthalate (PET). In the case in point, each first andsecond threadlike element 64, 66, 68, 70 is a spun threadlike elementexhibiting a linear density equal to 170 tex and a tenacity equal to 66cN/tex.

The bearing elements 32 are threadlike bearing elements. Each threadlikebearing element 32 extends alternately from the first woven fabric 26towards the second woven fabric 28 and from the second woven fabric 28towards the first woven fabric 26, on moving along the threadlikebearing element 32. In addition, each threadlike bearing element 32 isinterlaced with the first woven fabric 26 and the second woven fabric28. Each threadlike bearing element 32 is a textile threadlike bearingelement, in this instance made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Inthe case in point, each bearing element is a spun threadlike elementexhibiting a linear density equal to 55 tex and a tenacity equal to 54cN/tex. In the embodiment described, the threadlike bearing elements 32are devoid of any layer of adhesive composition.

Each threadlike bearing element 32 comprises a threadlike bearingportion 74 extending between the first and second woven fabrics 26, 28,in particular between the internal faces 42 and 46. Each threadlikebearing element 32 comprises first and second threadlike portions 76, 78for anchoring the threadlike bearing element 32 respectively in thefirst woven fabric 26 and the second woven fabric 28. Each first andsecond threadlike anchoring portion 76, 78 prolongs a bearing portion 74respectively into each first woven fabric 26 and second woven fabric 28.Each first and second threadlike anchoring portion 76, 78 is wound, atleast in part, around several threadlike elements of the first familiesof warp threadlike elements 64, 68 respectively of each first wovenfabric 26 and each second woven fabric 28. Thus, each threadlikeanchoring portion 76, 78 connects two threadlike bearing portions 74together.

The threadlike anchoring portions 76 of the threadlike bearing elements32 are seen in FIGS. 4 and 7.

In FIG. 4, the first woven fabric 26 and the second woven fabric 28 bothextend along a main general direction G substantially parallel to thelongitudinal edges of the first and second woven fabrics 26, 28. Thefirst warp threadlike elements 64 of the first, radially exterior, wovenfabric 26 extend along a direction forming, with the main generaldirection of the first woven fabric 26, an angle A1 at least equal to10° and at most equal to 45°. The first weft threadlike elements 66 ofthe first, radially exterior, woven fabric 26 extend along a directionforming, with the main general direction of the first woven fabric 26,an angle A2 at least equal to 10° and at most equal to 45°.

Analogously, the second warp threadlike elements 68 of the second,radially interior, woven fabric 28 extend along a direction forming,with the main general direction of the second, radially interior, wovenfabric 28, an angle A3 at least equal to 10° and at most equal to 45°.The second weft threadlike elements 70 of the second, radially interior,woven fabric 28 extend along a direction forming, with the main generaldirection of the first woven fabric 26, an angle A4 at least equal to10° and at most equal to 45°. In the case in point, A1=A2=A3=A4=45°.

A threadlike bearing portion 74 of a threadlike bearing element 32 hasbeen represented in FIG. 6. The threadlike bearing portion 74 exhibits acircular mean section S_(P), defined by a characteristic smallestdimension E and a characteristic largest dimension L which are bothequal, in the example presented, to the diameter of the circle, andcharacterized by its aspect ratio K equal to L/E, and thus equal to 1 inthe present case. In addition, the characteristic smallest dimension Eof the mean section S_(P) of the threadlike bearing portion 74, that isto say, in the present case, its diameter, is at most equal to 0.02times the mean radial height H of the interior annular space 52. Thebearing portion 74 has a length L_(P) at least equal to the mean heightH of the interior annular space 52. The threadlike anchoring portions76, 78 exhibit the same circular mean section S_(P) and the samecharacteristic smallest dimension E of the mean section S_(P).

The tire 20 has been represented partially in FIG. 7 so as to see theexternal face 53 of the first woven fabric 26 when the latter isarranged within the tire 20.

The first warp threadlike elements 64 of the first woven fabric 26extend along a direction forming, with the circumferential direction XX′of the tire 20, an angle B1 which is less than the angle A1. Likewise,the first weft threadlike elements 66 of the first woven fabric 26extend along a direction forming, with the circumferential direction XX′of the tire 20, an angle B2 which is less than the angle A2.

The second warp threadlike elements 68 of the second, radially interior,woven fabric 28 extend along a direction forming, with thecircumferential direction XX′ of the tire 20, an angle B3. Likewise, thesecond weft threadlike elements 70 of the second, radially interior,woven fabric 28 extend along a direction forming, with thecircumferential direction XX′ of the tire 20, an angle B4.

In the case in point, each angle B1, B2 is respectively less than eachangle A1, A2 and is at least equal to 10° and less than 45° and in thisinstance B1=B2=38°. Each angle B3, B4 is respectively substantiallyequal to each angle A3, A4 and is at least equal to 10° and less than orequal to 45° and in this instance B3=B4=45°.

The tire 20, the stiffness characteristics of which are presented inFIGS. 8 and 9, comprises first and second radially exterior and radiallyinterior structures of revolution 25′, 27′ having respective mean radiiequal to 333 mm and 298 mm, and axial widths both equal to 250 mm. Theinterior annular space 52 has a mean radial height H equal to 35 mm. Thetire 20 is inflated to a pressure P of between 1.5 bar and 2.5 bar andis subjected to a radial load Z_(N) equal to 600 daN.

FIG. 8 presents two comparative standard curves of the change in theload applied Z, expressed in daN, as a function of deflection F,expressed in mm, for a tire according to the invention I and a referencetire R of the state of the art. FIG. 8 shows that, for a given radialload Z, the deflection F of a tire according to the invention I issmaller than that of the reference tire R. In other words, the radialstiffness of the tire according to the invention I is greater than theradial stiffness of the reference tire R.

FIG. 9 presents two comparative standard curves of the change in thecornering stiffness Z_(D), expressed in N/°, as a function of the loadapplied, expressed in N, for a tire according to the invention I and areference tire R of the state of the art. FIG. 9 shows that, for a givenradial load Z, the cornering stiffness Z_(D) of a tire according to theinvention I is greater than that of the reference tire R.

A manufacturing process according to the invention will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C.

In a stage prior to the formation of the assemblage 24, each first andsecond threadlike element 64, 66, 68, 70 is coated with the layers ofadhesion primer and of adhesive composition. To do this, the first andsecond threadlike elements 64, 66, 68, 70 are first of all directlycoated with the layer of adhesion primer in a first aqueous bath(approximately 94% of water) based on epoxy resin (polyglycerolpolyglycidyl ether, approximately 1%) and on isocyanate compound(blocked caprolactam, approximately 5%). The layer of adhesion primer isthen coated with the layer of adhesive composition, in this instance anRFL adhesive (approximately 81% by weight of water) based on resorcinol(approximately 2%), formaldehyde (approximately 1%) and a rubber latex(approximately 16% of NR, SBR and VP-SBR rubbers). The layers of primerand of adhesive composition are then dried, for example in a drying ovenat 140° C. for 30 s. The first and second coated threadlike elements 64,66, 68, 70 are then heat treated, so as to crosslink the layers ofprimer and of adhesive composition, by passing the first and secondcoated threadlike elements 64, 66, 68, 70 through a treatment oven at240° C. for 30 s.

Then, in a stage of formation of the assemblage 24, the first threadlikeelements 64, 66 are assembled, so as to form the first woven fabric 26,and the second threadlike elements 68, 70 are assembled, so as to formthe second woven fabric 28. The bearing elements 32 are also assembledwith the first and second woven fabrics 26, 28. In the embodimentdescribed as example, the first and second coated and heat-treatedthreadlike elements 64, 66, 68, 70 are assembled, in a single stage andthus simultaneously, with the bearing elements 32, so as to form theassemblage 24. In another embodiment, each first and second woven fabric26, 28 is first of all formed separately and then the first and secondwoven fabrics 26, 28 are connected together with the bearing elements32. The stage of formation of the assemblage 24 according to theinvention is carried out in a way known by a person skilled in the artof woven fabrics.

Then, in a stage of impregnation of the first and second woven fabrics26, 28, each first and second woven fabric 26, 28 is respectivelyimpregnated with the first and second polymeric compositions 34, 36, soas to form the first and second bands 33, 35 and to constitute the firstand second impregnated woven structures 25, 27.

The assembly 90 according to the invention represented in FIG. 10A isthen obtained. The surface breaking force Fs of the threadlike bearingportions 74, and by extension of the bearing elements 32, is defined byFs=Fr.D, in which Fr is the breaking force, in N, of each threadlikebearing portion 74 and D is the mean surface density of the threadlikebearing portions 74 per unit of surface area of first impregnated wovenstructure 25, expressed in 1/m².

In the example of the first embodiment, the threadlike bearing elements32 are individually identical. Each bearing element 32 is made ofpolyethylene terephthalate (PET) and exhibits a mean section S_(P) equalto 7*10⁻⁸ m² and a breaking stress F_(r)/S_(P) equal to 470 MPa. Themean surface density D of the threadlike bearing portions 74 per unit ofsurface area of the first impregnated woven structure 25 and per unit ofsurface area of the second impregnated woven structure 27 is equal to 85000 yarns/m². The breaking force Fr is equal to 33 N.

A confection cylinder is available, the diameter of which is equal tothat of the fitting means on which the tire 20 is intended to be fitted.The confection cylinder is substantially of revolution around an axis ofrevolution coaxial with the axis of revolution YY′ of the tire 20. Theassembly 90 of FIG. 10A is wound around this confection cylinder. Theassembly 90 according to the invention then forms an axially continuouscylindrical winding around the axis of revolution YY′ of the tire 20,the axial width of which is greater than or equal to 50%, preferablygreater than or equal to 75%, of the axial width of the tread 58. Inthis case, the assembly 90 is deposited according to a singlecylindrical winding turn. The expression full-width laying is used,since the targeted axial width of the assembly 90 is obtained in asingle cylindrical winding turn. The advantage of full-width laying isthe manufacturing productivity. On the other hand, full-width layingnecessarily implies the existence of at least one overlapping region, orwelding region, along the circumferential direction, between thecircumferential ends of the assembly 20, in particular at the end ofwinding. The assembly 90 is laid so that the warp threadlike elements64, 68 and the weft threadlike elements 66, 70, which are substantiallyperpendicular to one another, form, with the circumferential directionXX′ of the tire 20, angles A1, A2, A3, A4 substantially equal to 45°.

The interior annular space 52 is then formed. To do this, in theembodiment described, each sidewall 50 is joined to each axial end 44,48 of the first impregnated woven structure 25 and of the secondimpregnated woven structure 27, so as to form the interior annular space52.

At least one of the first and second impregnated woven structures 25,27, in the case in point solely the first impregnated woven structure25, is then separated radially, with respect to the axis of revolutionof the tire 20. To do this, in the embodiment described, the interiorannular space 52 is opened out by pressurization with an inflation gasof the interior annular space 52, for example air. The assembly 90according to the invention represented in FIG. 10B is then obtained.Each threadlike bearing portion 74 is still in a folded or flexed state.

Subsequently, on continuing to radially separate at least one of thefirst and second impregnated woven structures 25, 27, in the case inpoint solely the first impregnated woven structure 25, with respect tothe axis of revolution YY′ of the tire 20, the interior annular space 52is opened out by pressurization with the inflation gas. The assemblyrepresented in FIG. 10C is then obtained, in which assembly eachthreadlike bearing portion 74 is in a substantially tensed state.

During the radial separation of at least one of the first and secondimpregnated woven structures 25, 27 with respect to the axis ofrevolution YY′ of the tire 20, generally known as conformation, thediameter of the first impregnated woven structure 25 forming the firstradially exterior structure of revolution 25′ of the tire 20, and thusof the first woven fabric 26, increases, whereas the diameter of thesecond impregnated woven structure 27 forming the second radiallyinterior structure of revolution 27′ of the tire 20, and thus of thesecond woven fabric 28, remains substantially constant. The radialdistance, with respect to the axis of revolution YY′ of the tire 20, ofthe first woven fabric 26 significantly increases during theconformation, as well as its circumferential length, and the anglesformed by the first warp threadlike elements 64 and the first weftthreadlike elements 66, with the circumferential direction XX′ of thetire 20, which are initially equal to 45°, decrease and become at leastequal to 10° and at most equal to 45°, after conformation, in thisinstance equal to B1=B2=38°. The radial distance, with respect to theaxis of revolution YY′ of the tire 20, of the second woven fabric 28remains substantially constant during the conformation, itscircumferential length does not vary substantially and the angles formedby the second warp threadlike elements 68 and the second weft threadlikeelements 70, with the circumferential direction XX′ of the tire 20,which are initially equal to 45°, remain substantially equal to 45°,after conformation; in this instance; B3=B4=45°.

The crown structure of revolution 55 is then wound radially on theoutside of the first impregnated woven structure 25 forming the first,radially exterior, structure of revolution 25′.

Subsequently, the interior annular space 52 is depressurized down toambient atmospheric pressure. The tire 20 is then obtained in the rawstate. Finally, the tire 20 is crosslinked, for example byvulcanization, in order to obtain the tire 20 in the cured state.

A tire 20 according to a second embodiment has been represented in FIGS.11 and 12. The elements analogous to those represented in the precedingfigures are denoted by identical references.

Unlike the tire according to the first embodiment, in the tire 20according to the second embodiment, the assemblage 24 extends axially ina noncontinuous fashion between the two sidewalls 50 of the tire 20. Theassemblage 24 extends circumferentially over several turns around theaxis of revolution YY′ of the tire 20 so as to form a winding of anaxially noncontinuous assemblage strip 92.

Thus, as is illustrated in FIG. 12, the assembly 90 is wound around theaxis of the tire 20 so as to form a helical winding of an assemblagestrip 92, the axial portions 94 of the strip 92 being axiallyjuxtaposed. Strip is understood to mean an assembly 90 having a limitedaxial width, at most equal to 30% of the axial width of the tread 58,and with a great length at least equal to twice the circumference of thetread 58, so that the strip to be laid can be stored in the form of aroll. Such a strip is thus unwound in a helix, having as axis ofrevolution the axis of revolution of the tire 20. The number of helicalwinding turns of the strip is determined by the total axial width of thetargeted helical winding and by the density of bearing elements 32. Thelaying of the strip can be contiguous, that is to say that the stripportions are in contact in pairs by their axial edges, ornon-contiguous, that is to say that the axial edges of the axial stripportions 94 are spaced out by a substantially nonzero space. Theadvantage of laying in strips is the absence of overlapping regions, orwelding regions, in the circumferential direction, between axial stripportions, at the end of winding.

In a design of strip type, the binding surface area S_(E) of theexternal face 43 of the first impregnated woven structure 25 forming thefirst, radially exterior, structure of revolution 25′ of the tire 20radially exterior woven fabric with the radially interior face 59 of thecrown structure of revolution 55 is the sum of the binding surface areasof the juxtaposed strip 92 axial portions 94.

The strip 92 is wound helically around the axis of revolution of thetire 20 so that, before conformation, the first warp threadlike elements64 and the first weft threadlike elements 66 of the first woven fabric26 extend along a direction forming, with the circumferential directionXX′, respectively an angle A1, A2 at least equal to 10° and at mostequal to 45°, and so that the second warp threadlike elements 68 and thesecond weft threadlike elements 70 of the second, radially interior,woven fabric 28 extend along a direction forming, with the main generaldirection of the second, radially interior, woven fabric 28,respectively an angle A3, A4 at least equal to 10° and at most equal to45°. In the case in point, A1=A2=A3=A4=45°.

As in the first embodiment, after conformation, the angles formed by thefirst warp threadlike elements 64 and the first weft threadlikeelements, with the circumferential direction XX′, which are initiallyequal to 45°, decrease and become at least equal to 10° and at mostequal to 45°, after conformation, in this instance equal to B1=B2=38°.The angles formed by the second warp threadlike elements 68 and thesecond weft threadlike elements 70, with the circumferential directionXX′, of the tire 20, which are initially equal to 45°, remainsubstantially equal to 45°.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

It will be possible to envisage the embodiment in which:

-   -   each threadlike bearing element is coated with at least one        layer of a third adhesive composition,    -   each coated threadlike bearing element is then heat treated, so        as to crosslink the third adhesive composition,    -   each coated and heat-treated threadlike bearing element is then        assembled with the first and second threadlike elements, so as        to form the assemblage.

Thus, in this embodiment, each threadlike bearing element is coated withat least one layer of a third crosslinked adhesive composition and isobtained after a stage of individual coating of each threadlike bearingelement by the layer of the third adhesive composition, followed by astage of individual heat treatment of each coated threadlike bearingelement.

In this embodiment, during the stage of formation of the assemblage,each coated and heat-treated threadlike bearing element is assembledwith the first and second coated and heat-treated threadlike elements,so as to form the assemblage.

1-27. (canceled) 28: A process for manufacturing a tire assemblage thatincludes a first woven or knitted fabric including one or more firstthreadlike elements, a second woven or knitted fabric including one ormore second threadlike elements, and a bearing structure includingbearing elements connecting the first and second woven or knittedfabrics together, the process comprising steps of: coating each firstthreadlike element with at least one layer of a first adhesivecomposition, to form coated first threadlike elements; coating eachsecond threadlike element with at least one layer of a second adhesivecomposition, to form coated second threadlike elements; heat treatingeach coated first threadlike element and each coated second threadlikeelement to crosslink the first adhesive composition and the secondadhesive composition, to form coated and heat-treated first and secondthreadlike elements; and assembling each coated and heat-treated firstthreadlike element and each coated and heat-treated second threadlikeelement with the bearing elements, so as to form part or all of the tireassemblage. 29: The process according to claim 28, wherein thecrosslinked first and second adhesive compositions are substantiallyidentical. 30: The process according to claim 28, wherein each first andsecond threadlike element is textile. 31: The process according to claim28, wherein each bearing element is a threadlike bearing element. 32:The process according to claim 31, wherein each threadlike bearingelement is a textile. 33: The process according to claim 31, whereineach threadlike bearing element extends along a length thereof in analternating pattern from the first woven or knitted fabric towards thesecond woven or knitted fabric and then from the second woven or knittedfabric towards the first woven or knitted fabric. 34: The processaccording to claim 31, wherein each threadlike bearing element isinterlaced with each of the first and second woven or knitted fabrics.35: The process according to claim 31, wherein each threadlike bearingelement includes: at least one threadlike bearing portion extendingbetween the first and second woven or knitted fabrics, and at least onepair of first and second threadlike portions for anchoring thethreadlike bearing element respectively in the first and second woven orknitted fabrics, prolonging the at least one threadlike bearing portionrespectively into the first and second woven or knitted fabrics. 36: Theprocess according to claim 28, wherein the first woven or knitted fabricis a first woven fabric that includes intertwinings of a first family ofthe first threadlike elements, which are substantially parallel to oneanother, and a second family of the first threadlike elements, which aresubstantially parallel to one another. 37: The process according toclaim 28, wherein the second woven or knitted fabric is a first wovenfabric that includes intertwinings of a first family of the secondthreadlike elements, which are substantially parallel to one another,and a second family of the second threadlike elements, which aresubstantially parallel to one another. 38: The process according toclaim 31, wherein each threadlike bearing element includes: at least onethreadlike bearing portion extending between the first and second wovenor knitted fabrics, and at least one pair of first and second threadlikeanchor portions for anchoring the threadlike bearing elementrespectively in the first and second woven or knitted fabrics,prolonging the at least one threadlike bearing portion respectively intothe first and second woven or knitted fabrics, wherein the first wovenor knitted fabric is a first woven fabric that includes intertwinings ofa first family of the first threadlike elements, which are substantiallyparallel to one another, and a second family of the first threadlikeelements, which are substantially parallel to one another, and whereineach first threadlike anchor portion is wound, at least in part, aroundat least one of the first threadlike elements of at least one of thefirst and second families of the first threadlike elements of the firstwoven fabric. 39: The process according to claim 31, wherein eachthreadlike bearing element includes: at least one threadlike bearingportion extending between the first and second woven or knitted fabrics,and at least one pair of first and second threadlike anchor portions foranchoring the threadlike bearing element respectively in the first andsecond woven or knitted fabrics, prolonging the at least one threadlikebearing portion respectively into the first and second woven or knittedfabrics, wherein the second woven or knitted fabric is a second wovenfabric that includes intertwinings of a first family of the secondthreadlike elements, which are substantially parallel to one another,and a second family of the second threadlike elements, which aresubstantially parallel to one another, and wherein each secondthreadlike anchoring portion is wound, at least in part, around at leastone of the second threadlike elements of at least one of the first andsecond families of the second threadlike elements of the second wovenfabric. 40: The process according to claim 36, wherein: the first wovenfabric extends along a main general direction, and the first threadlikeelements of at least one of the first and second families extend along adirection forming, with the main general direction of the first wovenfabric, an angle at least equal to 10° and at most equal to 45°. 41: Theprocess according to claim 36, wherein: the second woven fabric extendsalong a main general direction, and the second threadlike elements of atleast one of the first and second families extend along a directionforming, with the main general direction of the second woven fabric, anangle at least equal to 10° and at most equal to 45°. 42: The processaccording to claim 28, wherein each first threadlike element is coateddirectly with a layer of a first adhesion primer, and the layer of thefirst adhesion primer is coated with the at least one layer of the firstadhesive composition. 43: The process according to claim 28, whereineach second threadlike element is coated directly with a layer of asecond adhesion primer, and the layer of the second adhesion primer iscoated with the at least one layer of the second adhesive composition.44: The process according to claim 28, wherein each bearing element is athreadlike bearing element, and wherein the process further comprisessteps of: coating each threadlike bearing element with at least onelayer of a third adhesive composition, to form a coated threadlikebearing element; heat treating each coated threadlike bearing element tocrosslink the third adhesive composition, to form a coated andheat-treated threadlike bearing element; and assembling each coated andheat-treated threadlike bearing element with the first and second coatedand heat-treated threadlike elements, so as to form part or all of theassemblage. 45: A tire assemblage comprising: a first woven or knittedfabric that includes one or more coated first threadlike elements, eachcoated first threadlike element being coated with at least one layer ofa first crosslinked adhesive composition; a second woven or knittedfabric that includes one or more coated second threadlike elements, eachcoated second threadlike element being coated with at least one layer ofa second crosslinked adhesive composition; a bearing structure thatincludes bearing elements connecting the first and second woven orknitted fabrics together, wherein the tire assemblage is produced by aprocess that includes: coating each one or more first threadlikeelements with at least one layer of a first adhesive composition, toform the one or more coated first threadlike elements, coating each ofone or more second threadlike elements with at least one layer of asecond adhesive composition, to form the one or more coated secondthreadlike elements, heat treating each coated first threadlike elementand each coated second threadlike element to crosslink the firstadhesive composition and the second adhesive composition, to form coatedand heat-treated first and second threadlike elements, and assemblingeach coated and heat-treated first threadlike element and each coatedand heat-treated second threadlike element with the bearing elements, toform part or all of the tire assemblage. 46: A tire comprising anassemblage that includes: a first woven or knitted fabric that includesone or more coated first threadlike elements, each coated firstthreadlike element being coated with at least one layer of a firstcrosslinked adhesive composition; a second woven or knitted fabric thatincludes one or more coated second threadlike elements, each coatedsecond threadlike element being coated with at least one layer of asecond crosslinked adhesive composition; a bearing structure thatincludes bearing elements connecting the first and second woven orknitted fabrics together, wherein the tire assemblage is produced by aprocess that includes: coating each of one or more first threadlikeelements with at least one layer of a first adhesive composition, toform the one or more coated first threadlike elements, coating each ofone or more second threadlike elements with at least one layer of asecond adhesive composition, to form the one or more coated secondthreadlike elements, heat treating each coated first threadlike elementand each coated second threadlike element to crosslink the firstadhesive composition and the second adhesive composition, to form coatedand heat-treated first and second threadlike elements, and assemblingeach coated and heat-treated first threadlike element and each coatedand heat-treated second threadlike element with the bearing elements, toform part or all of the tire assemblage. 47: The tire according to claim46, further comprising: a first structure of revolution that includesthe first woven or knitted fabric and a layer of a first polymericcomposition, the first woven or knitted fabric being impregnated, atleast in part, with the first polymeric composition; a second structureof revolution that includes the second woven or knitted fabric and alayer of a second polymeric composition, the second woven or knittedfabric being impregnated, at least in part, with the second polymericcomposition, the second structure of revolution being arranged radiallyinternal to the first structure of revolution; a crown structure ofrevolution arranged radially external to the first structure ofrevolution; an interior annular space delimited by an internal face ofthe first structure of revolution and an internal face of the secondstructure of revolution; two sidewalls connecting together each axialend of the first structure of revolution and each axial end of thesecond structure of revolution, the two sidewalls delimiting theinterior annular space such that the interior annular space forms aclosed cavity that can be pressurized by an inflation gas. 48: A processfor manufacturing a tire, the process comprising steps of: obtaining anassemblage that includes: a first woven or knitted fabric that includesone or more coated and heat-treated first threadlike elements, eachcoated and heat-treated first threadlike element being coated with atleast one layer of a first crosslinked adhesive composition andresulting from individually coating each of one or more first threadlikeelements with a layer of a first adhesive composition, to form coatedfirst threadlike elements, followed by individually heat treating eachcoated first threadlike element, to crosslink the first adhesivecomposition, a second woven or knitted fabric that includes one or morecoated and heat-treated second threadlike elements, each coated andheat-treated second threadlike element being coated with at least onelayer of a second crosslinked adhesive composition and resulting fromindividually coating each of one or more second threadlike elements witha layer of a second adhesive composition, to form coated secondthreadlike elements, followed by individually heat treating each coatedsecond threadlike element, to crosslink the second adhesive composition,and a bearing structure that includes bearing elements connecting thefirst and second woven or knitted fabrics together; winding theassemblage around a confection cylinder substantially of revolutionaround an axis of revolution; and moving at least one of the first andsecond woven or knitted fabrics radially with respect to the axis ofrevolution to separate the first and second woven or knitted fabricsfrom each other. 49: The process according to claim 48, wherein the tireincludes: a first structure of revolution including the first woven orknitted fabric and a layer of a first polymeric composition, the firstwoven or knitted fabric being impregnated, at least in part, with thefirst polymeric composition; a second structure of revolution includingthe second woven or knitted fabric and a layer of a second polymericcomposition, the second woven or knitted fabric being impregnated, atleast in part, with the second polymeric composition, the secondstructure of revolution being arranged radially internal to the firststructure of revolution, an interior annular space delimited by aninternal face of the first structure of revolution, an internal face ofthe second structure of revolution, and two sidewalls, such that theinterior annular space forms a closed cavity that can be pressurized byan inflation gas, wherein the process further comprises steps of:forming the interior annular space; and opening out the interior annularspace. 50: The process according claim 49, wherein, in the step offorming the interior annular space, each sidewall is joined to eachaxial end of the first and second structures of revolution. 51: Theprocess according to claim 49, wherein, in the step of opening out theinterior annular space, the interior annular space pressurized by theinflation gas. 52: The process according to claim 49, further comprisinga step of, after the interior annular space has been opened out, windinga crown structure of revolution radially external to the first structureof revolution.